Free Discussion about the Realities of Life After Prison

The November 15 event is part of Oregon Humanities' statewide Conversation Project.

Many of us have grown up being told - and believing - that after a person serves their sentence for a crime, their slate is wiped clean. Every possibility exists for them to find a decent job, a decent apartment, a decent car. From there, they can go on to build a decent life. But the truth does not often bear out this scenario. A felony conviction can restrict travel options, licensing options for employment, housing, and financial aid, just to name a few. What does it mean to our society that 8 percent of our overall US population - and 33 percent of African American men - who have felony convictions run into these barriers after they serve time in prison?

This is the focus of "Sentenced for a Season, Punished for Life," a free conversation with Pamela Slaughter at 6 p.m., Thursday, November, 15 at City of Springfield, Library Meeting Room, 225 Fifth Street, Springfield. This program is hosted by City of Springfield and sponsored by Oregon Humanities.

Pamela Slaughter is a native Oregonian with varied interests. She works as an adult protective service investigator for Multnomah County and is a licensed real estate broker with Keller Williams Realty Portland Central, working as a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES). Pamela also serves asBellaOnlinemagazine'sSenior Issueseditor and hosts a weekly writing group, Shut Up & Write! Pamela loves showing off the beauty of Oregon and gets to do so regularly as a coleader for People of Color Hike! In her spare time, Pamela spends time with family and friends, and bakes delicious cakes.

For more information about this free community discussion, please contact Vahana Keene at 541.726.3671 or[email protected].Due to the sometimes sensitive nature of these conversations, we do request that prior notice be given if members of the media plan to attend so that we may prepare the participants for that possibility.

Oregon Humanities (921 SW Washington, Suite 150; Portland, OR 97205) connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities. More information about OregonHumanities' programs and publications, which include the Conversation Project, Think & Drink, Humanity in Perspective, Public Program Grants, Responsive Program Grants, andOregon Humanitiesmagazine, can be found at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.